TubeNet

Composer Howard Frazin adapted his concerto for 2 tubas and string orchestra in May, 2007, for F and CC tubas, string quartet, and contrabass. Here is the premiere performance of the lovely, lyrical second movement of this version, on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_gHemGiHfQ

From a technical standpoint, it's pretty challenging, with soaring lines for the F and one 45 second run of continuous eight notes for the CC that requires sniffing through your nose after every attack. (Thanks and blessings to William Bell, who taught me this technique in high school.)

Also on YouTube you can watch Howie's "Lullaby for Amelia (Roylance)" on the occasion of her birth, composed while the concerto was still gestating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_gHemGiHfQ

This is a sweet reverie for F and CC tubas. Mike and I gave its first public performance as an encore after the world premiere of the concerto in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on March 18, 2007, with the Boston Classical Orchestra, Stephen Lipsitt, conductor.

Here's contact information for composer Howard Frazin: howardfrazin@aol.com

Eli

Beautifully played; really liked both pieces. Definitely seems to be a composer worth exploring further. Thanks for posting!

Such a nice piece... I wish I could play that high

Seems like the tuba parts were written by someone who has never played a brass instrument and does not understand the challenges.

Although it is a fine job performing it, I'd think that the F tuba part would have worked better on a euphonium, and that the CC part could have more easily been played on an Eb or F.

Just my opinon, as both a composer and a brass player.

BTW....that sniff through the nose technique is what I use on the awful un-ending offbeats that horns encounter in marches sometimes. Sniff in for four rests, sniff out for four rests, and you can just keep going. However it's a pain in the ___.

MA